My daughter started preschool this morning and it did not go as I had envisioned...
She being nervous while packing lunch, difficulty getting dressed, walking her to the classroom with her hand clenching mine, huge puppy eyes and tears as I’m about to leave, screaming “Daddy! Daddy! Don’t leave me… I love you!!” as I walked away quickly, but maybe stopping a few times waving and whispering “I love you too, now go back to your classroom and learn the proper use of safety scissors...” as I backed into and disappeared in a fog with Obi-Wan Kenobi and Dean Martin patting me on the back assuring me that I am a good dad.
That's what I expected. In reality it went something like this:
Packing lunch – “No…I want to do it all BY MYSELF!”
Dressing - “No…I want to do it all BY MYSELF!”
In the car pulling up to the school “Drop me off…O.K…I see you later O.K!”
Uh no! I’m walking to your classroom and I BETTER SEE TEARS WHEN I LEAVE!!!!
I can just imagine what kindergarten is going to be like; she’ll probably end up telling me to drop her off down the street.
Happy Birthday To The Man That Invented Chicken in a Bucket!
And to think I almost forgot... thankfully some cool folks reminded me.It’s hard to imagine, but prior to the birth of Harland David Sanders in 1890 nobody even thought about putting fried chicken in a bucket.
It wasn’t until his 3rd birthday on a farm in Henryville, Indiana while packing lunch for his first day preschool that he told his father, General Sanders, “Father General, I would like the pleasure of preparing my own meal for today’s schooling. Sir.”
When his father of little words nodded in agreement, young Harland instantly put 14 pieces of fried chicken with 11 herbs and spices in a red, white, and black cardboard bucket.
And then with his chicken bucket and Princess backpack in hand, his dad took young Sanders to school.
And he didn't even acknowledge his father as he walked away from his classroom - not even a wave.
And his father was so upset that he didn't want to eat fried chicken anymore. But then he got over it and went through the drive-thru anyways.
In honour of this historic day, I used a Lionel Richie song in today's post.
ReplyDeleteawwwwww, first days--
ReplyDeletejust wait, there will be tears and the "i don't wanna's" when you least expect it--but look at it this way, when it does occur you can go off into the haze of the martin and saber glow of Yoda with a request for some chicken at the KFC drivethru. :)
Crusty
Both my kids were like "See ya!" when I dropped them off for preschool. I'm sure Volcano will be the same when he starts kindergarten tomorrow. *sniff* I think it's harder on us parents than it is on the little tykes.
ReplyDeleteI let the kids have a pass on the whole adoration during our departures, but when they get home from school, I pretty much force them to hug me and go on and on about how much they missed me while they were in school. The sixth grader is getting mighty tired of this routine.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter just started kindergarten a bit over a week ago. The entire family dropped her off. Boy was she proud and confident. I am not sure who was glowing more- me, my wife or Ellie. Even our middle son seemed ecstatic to see his sister off.
ReplyDeleteOur middle boy headed off to Montessori about 20 minutes later without his big sister by his side. He smiled and waved through the window. I could see him chatting it up with his fellow preschoolers like they had been buddies for years.
ah colonel... and now the world is a better place for your birth.
ReplyDeleteeven if children are not sad to see their parents leave them at preschool
I feel your pain. My twin boys started preschool today too. We are totally screwed. It is that simple.
ReplyDeleteTrust me...If you really had crying and daddy don't go - it would be much, much worse. That's when you're all : OK! Homeschooling it is! People do it all the time!
ReplyDeleteIt will come and bite you in your extra-crispy, chicken-fried butt when you are least expecting it and NOT when you are ready for it. You will also be in a very big hurry that day for an appointment - like the dedication of the Colonel's statue in your front yard.
ReplyDeleteBoth my kids are in preschool this year. My youngest (his first year going) was lucky enough to have Grandma take him the first day. I don't think I could have delt with him being scared out of his mind about going to some strangers house. But in the end, he did okay. I was worried about nothing. Be glad you have a child who isn't scared or extremely shy, much easier to deal with. What a brave little girl!
ReplyDeleteIt means you're raising a very self-confident daughter who is mature enough to be going to preschool. If that doesn't make you feel better go get some chicken!
ReplyDeleteMost likely she'll resort to running over to you w/arms outstretched for a hug at the end of the day. I promise, that one will come.
She loves school, that's a good sign :)
ReplyDeleteEw, showing up to school with your dad--oh my god, like totally embarrassing.
ReplyDeleteYou should console yourself by going to KFC and getting that stylish new picnic bag with the Colonel's mug plastered all over it. I'm sure it would boost your spirits.
ReplyDeleteThe Colonel (pronounced "Cur-uh-null") mastered the graham cracker crust recipe in kindergarten. His secret biscuit formula came a little later to the delight of his first grade class.
ReplyDeleteJust to set the record straight since were being all factual here.
Man, I am so amazed at how much my son loves school. I just hated it so much from the get go, that I just assumed he would, too. I am so glad he's different than me...
ReplyDeleteYour little girl sounds much like my four year old daughter. "Just let me do it!" is her mantra. Except when she needs her butt wiped. Bleah.
I was feeling all bad for you and stuff and then that story about the Colonel and his Princess backpack made me snort ice cream out my nose and onto my Mac. Now? You suck and my Mac feels bad for itself.
ReplyDeleteYou freaking CRACK me up.
ReplyDeleteCoal Miner's Granddaughter -- You should buy it a new iPod. That'll make it feel better.
ReplyDeleteKristen -- I can't wait for the day mine wipes on her own. That would be the best gift ever.
Sasparilla Sue -- Already have one. Although I can get another...
Artist Unplugged -- It's not just a statue, it's a "statue fountain" with a water show.
I just needed to clarify that.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26622082/?GT1=43001 try going to this link- it's an article on msnbc about the original recipe. Thought you'd like it :)
ReplyDeleteA lot of good things come in buckets. Ice cream, cookies, bungie cords. But chicken is the best.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see your young one has started her educational journey on a familiar note.
I've had it both ways; the child screaming and crying for me not to leave him and the child who kissed and hugged me and went happily on his way to learn the proper use of scissors.
ReplyDeleteTake it from me, you want it the way you had it.
It's always worse for us parents than it is for the kids :-)
ReplyDeleteMy son was totally of the "don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out" mindset too.
ReplyDeleteIt is more difficult for the parents...
My daughter literally SHOVED ME AWAY when I dropped her off at preschool the other day. And that is how you can tell that I've done a great job raising her - she's both sick of me and ready for school! MY WORK HERE IS DONE!
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog!! :) Anyone who writes about the bucket 'o chicken guy gets high points from me!
ReplyDeleteDean Martin? Hmmm... Doesn't seem the type for fatherly advice, somehow.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think you might need to adapt that K-os song for chicken instead.
Beck -- I feel your pain. Next thing you know they'll be telling us they're moving out just before they start kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteKrista -- Yes! I know about it. Just about everybody in the world emailed me about that. I actually have an interesting post coming up about that.
Re: Biden and 90210...
ReplyDeleteI think he's going to be *quite upset* when he realizes that there's no Brandon, Dylan, or Donna. I know I was.
No way! I am writing a post right this very second and linking to you because I am talking about KFC, and when I clicked your link to copy it you are talking about the colonel. Too funny!
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Kids these days sure now know what they want. But it's even harder for dads to raise a kid, and I have to give it to you. It's not easy being a dad and a mommy all at the same time. Just hang in there, the fun is just getting started. And good luck!
ReplyDeleteYour baby is really very brave and strong.
ReplyDeleteHope she is having a good time
Oh, I so relate! In fact, when my kids started school, they waved me goodbye as I had tears streaming down my face! They were fine....me, not so much! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteradioactive girl -- I'm always talking about the Colonel...
ReplyDeletesteph -- I know. I'm not giving much hope to the new one.